Euro 2016 - Who are the biggest underdogs?

Steven Chisholm

As we gear up for the Euro 2016 kick off, host nation France have been installed as favourites to win the tournament by most bookmakers - that’s despite Les Blues only ranking 17th in the latest FIFA world rankings.

According to pundit Steve Wilson, France might just deserve their billing as top dogs though: “France’s record on home soil is formidable, winning both the Euros in 1984 and the World Cup in 1998 as host nation.

“In Pogba, Coman, Martial and Griezmann they’re blessed with a wealth of young talent - this France team could definitely lift the trophy.”

But who are the underdogs in this year’s tournament?

The lowest ranked team in the championship are Albania, who are 42nd in FIFA’s list.

Accordingly bookies have the Albanians as rank outsiders, most pricing them at between 400 and 500 to one to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy.

The odds are similarly unkind for Northern Ireland (ranked 25th by FIFA) and Hungary (ranked 20th), both teams priced between 250 and 400 to one.

The Czech Republic side, along with Republic of Ireland and Iceland are all reckoned to be in with a better shout, priced between 100 and 150 to one by most - despite poorer FIFA rankings still - ranked 30, 33 and 34 respectively.

So if you fancy an outside punt on the Euros, why not cross your fingers that 25-year-old FC Vaduz striker Armando Sadiku pulls a Jamie Vardy and fires Albania to European glory at the expense of group mates Romania, Switzerland and, of course, favourites France.

Euro 2016 teams by FIFA world ranking

Albania - 42

France - 17

Romania - 22

Switzerland - 15

England - 11

Russia - 29

Slovakia - 24

Wales - 26

Germany - 4

Northern Ireland - 25

Poland - 27

Ukraine - 19

Croatia - 27

Czech Republic - 30

Spain - 6

Turkey - 18

Belgium - 2

Italy - 12

Republic of Ireland - 33

Sweden - 35

Austria - 10

Hungary - 20

Iceland - 34

Portugal - 8

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